What are Allergies?

Allergies refer to immune system reactions triggered by substances typically harmless to most people. When individuals with allergies encounter allergens like pollen, pet dander, certain foods, or medications, their immune system perceives these substances as threats and mounts an immune response. This response can lead to various symptoms, including sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, skin rashes, hives, swelling, digestive issues, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.

 

Allergies can develop at any age and may be influenced by genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and previous allergen exposure.

 

Managing allergies often involves identifying and avoiding triggers, although conventional approaches may involve antihistamines to suppress symptoms.

 

What is MCAS? 

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) involves mast cells, a type of immune cell, becoming hypersensitive and releasing excessive chemical mediators like histamine when triggered. These mediators can cause a wide range of symptoms throughout the body, such as skin reactions, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory issues, cardiovascular complications, and neurological symptoms. MCAS can be challenging to diagnose due to its symptom similarity with other conditions, and triggers can vary widely among individuals.

 

Mainstream treatment usually involves identifying and avoiding triggers, managing symptoms with medications like antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers, and addressing underlying factors contributing to mast cell activation.

 

BUT, it's important to recognize that symptoms are signals rather than the root cause.

 

The Symptoms are NOT the Problem

Histamine release by the body signifies a perceived threat, often related to modern living stressors such as pharmaceuticals (vaccinations, antibiotics, steroids, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines),  genetically modified foods, pesticides, preservatives, heavy metals, and electromagnetic radiation from devices like modems and mobile phone towers, chronic stress, mould, microbiome disruption - the list goes on.

 

One thing that is important to understand, is that chronic exposure to electromagnetic radiofrequency radiation, in particular, can contribute to barrier dysfunction in various tissues, exacerbating inflammatory conditions like MCAS.

 

Addressing the underlying triggers and restoring barrier integrity is crucial for long-term health, as merely suppressing symptoms without addressing root causes can perpetuate health issues indefinitely. A holistic approach by a knowledgeable practitioner can help identify and address these underlying factors comprehensively.

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Leaky Mucosal Barriers

When mucosal barriers in the body become compromised, such as those in the gastrointestinal tract or respiratory system, it can lead to a condition known as "leaky gut" or increased intestinal permeability. This allows undigested food particles, toxins, and pathogens to enter the bloodstream, triggering an immune response. Immune cells recognize these foreign invaders as threats and mount an inflammatory reaction to neutralize them. However, chronic activation of the immune system due to leaky mucosal barriers can lead to systemic inflammation and contribute to various health issues, including autoimmune diseases, allergies, and chronic inflammatory conditions. Therefore, restoring the integrity of mucosal barriers and modulating immune activation are essential for maintaining overall health and preventing disease.

 

Leaky Lungs

When the lung's mucosal barriers are compromised, it can lead to a condition often referred to as "leaky lungs" or increased pulmonary permeability. Similar to leaky gut, this allows foreign particles, allergens, and pathogens to pass through the lung tissue and into the bloodstream, triggering an immune response. The immune system reacts by releasing inflammatory mediators to combat these invaders, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Chronic inflammation in the lungs can contribute to respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis. Restoring the integrity of the lung's mucosal barriers and addressing immune dysregulation are crucial for managing and preventing respiratory issues associated with leaky lungs, and addressing any associated MCAS.

 

Leaky Blood Vessels

When blood vessels become "leaky," it means that their walls have become more permeable than usual, allowing fluids, proteins, and other substances to leak out into surrounding tissues. This increased permeability can occur due to various factors, including inflammation, injury, or certain medical conditions. Leaky blood vessels can lead to symptoms such as swelling, edema, and fluid accumulation in tissues. Additionally, it can contribute to the development of conditions like atherosclerosis, where cholesterol and other substances build up in the vessel walls, and diabetic retinopathy, where leaking blood vessels in the retina can cause vision problems. Managing underlying causes of inflammation and supporting vascular health are important strategies for addressing leaky blood vessels.

 

Leaky Brain

Leaky brain, also known as "leaky blood-brain barrier," refers to a condition where the protective barrier surrounding the brain becomes more permeable, allowing substances that are normally blocked from entering the brain to pass through. This increased permeability can lead to the infiltration of toxins, pathogens, and other harmful substances into the brain tissue, potentially triggering inflammation and neurological symptoms. Leaky brain has been implicated in various neurological conditions, including Behavioural probles in Children and adolescents, PANS, PANDAS, Autism, Schizophrenia, Anxiety, Depression, Delinquency, Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease to name a few.

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Many things lead to Allergies and MCAS.

Treating the cause and not just the symptoms is vital for recovery to be sustainable. 

 

Strengthening Mucosal Defenses and Calming Immune Reactivity, naturally 

Health issues often begin as energetic disruptions before manifesting as biochemical imbalances and physical symptoms. If reactions are occurring, it suggests that the triggering imbalance has persisted for some time. Mucosal surfaces, lining our respiratory and digestive tracts, act as shields against reactants in our food and environment. Damage to these barriers can impair their protective function, leading to a hyper-reactive immune system.

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Addressing allergenic potential involves repairing these protective structures, an approach where Naturopathy and Bioresonance diverge from mainstream medicine. Our aim is to strengthen the body's defenses, to mitigate future reactions. By rectifying nutrient deficiencies, alleviating reactions, and supporting the immune system's reset and regulation, we can enhance the resilience of the lungs, gut, and skin, reducing a person's reactivity.

 

Food sensitivities & Hidden Allergenic Reaction

Food sensitivities, often unnoticed, can significantly contribute to autoimmunity and related flare-ups. Consuming trigger foods can heighten inflammation, disrupt the gut microbiome, and potentially lead to a leaky gut, a condition often linked with autoimmunity.

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In functional medicine, nutrition is an integral part of treating any chronic condition. Identifying your food sensitivities is crucial as avoidance of trigger foods can positively influence a range of chronic conditions including autoimmune diseases, SIBO, IBS, and can also aid in managing mood disorders, skin issues, pain, sleep problems, and more.

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Taking the first step towards your healing journey involves determining your body's food triggers and initiating the process of gut healing.

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Airborne Triggers

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Airborne and environmental substances can contribute to 'leaky lung', a condition that can trigger or worsen asthma or other respiratory issues. Understanding what triggers your symptoms is crucial, as it enables you to address the root cause and modify your environment to mitigate potential allergenic risks.

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Asthma 

 

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways, the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. In cases of asthma, the inside walls of the airways become inflamed (swollen), and this inflammation and reactivity makes the airways hyper-sensitive to things that you are allergic to or find irritating.

When the airways react, they get narrower, and less air flows through to your lung tissue. This causes symptoms like wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing, especially at night and in the early morning.

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Naturopathy can help by working with the body to calm the reactivity of respiratory mucosal tissues, calm the body's allergic response, and support and easing of the hyper-reactivity of the tissues using natural means.  

Eczema 

 

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry, and cracked. It's most common in children, but can occur at any age. Eczema is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare periodically and then subside.

Research has shown that the skin of people with eczema has a different composition of bacteria, or microbiome, compared to those without the condition. One of the most important types of bacteria that lives on our skin is Staphylococcus aureus, which is more common on the skin of people with eczema and can worsen the symptoms.

 

There is growing evidence that the gut microbiome (the bacteria in our digestive tract) also plays a role in eczema. People with eczema often have a less diverse gut microbiome, and this lack of diversity can affect the immune system and potentially trigger inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.

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In particular, studies have found that infants who have a reduced diversity of gut bacteria are more likely to develop eczema. This is thought to be because a diverse gut microbiome helps to train the immune system so it can respond appropriately to potential threats. If the microbiome is less diverse, the immune system may overreact to harmless substances, leading to conditions like eczema.  Therefore, treatments that help to restore the balance of the microbiome can be key in resolving a tendency to eczema for good. 

Hayfever 

 

Hayfever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction that primarily affects the nose. It's commonly caused by allergens such as pollen, dust, mold, or pet dander. Symptoms can include sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, a runny or stuffed nose, and coughing.

 

The mucosa is the moist tissue that lines certain parts of the inside of your body, including your nose, mouth, lungs, and the urinary and digestive tracts. In the context of hayfever, the mucosal health of the nasal passages is of particular importance.

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The nasal mucosa is the body's first line of defense against inhaled allergens. When it's healthy, it can perform its function of filtering out these allergens to keep them from reaching the lungs. When the nasal mucosa is inflamed or damaged, as in the case of hayfever, it becomes hyperreactive and the immune system can overreact to these allergens. This overreaction triggers the symptoms of hayfever.

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Moreover, an imbalance or disruption in the microbial communities that reside on the mucosal surfaces, known as the mucosal microbiome, has also been associated with allergic diseases including hayfever. The mucosal microbiome plays a crucial role in training our immune system to distinguish between harmless substances and potential threats, and an imbalance in this microbiome can lead to an overactive immune response to harmless substances like pollen or dust.

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Maintaining good mucosal health, therefore, is an important aspect of managing hayfever.

Sinus and Inflammatory Problems? Could it be MARCONS?

 

Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (MARCoNS) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to multiple antibiotics, and resides deep within the nasal passages. Although MARCoNS itself is not an infection, its presence can lead to inflammation and other far-reaching health issues as the bacteria colonizes and continues to grow excessively.

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The impact of MARCoNS on health is sublte but potentially systemic.  MARCoNS has been discussed within the context of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), often related to mold exposure or Lyme disease, but potentially triggered by an increased inflammatory load in the body.

 

There is a theory suggesting that individuals with low Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH), often found in patients with biotoxin illness, may have an increased prevalence of MARCoNS.

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Potential health effects include a wide range of systemic inflammation responses, potentially influencing the levels of certain hormones in the body. This may lead to various symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, and other chronic symptoms often seen in CIRS. 

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MARCONS testing may be of value in cases of chronic inflammation and reactivity, where chronic sinus issues are a feature, or if CIRS is suspected.  This is a test we can order through the clinic.

 

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) - Mould & Airborn Allergens

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) from a holistic perspective is viewed as a multifaceted disorder involving complex interactions between the immune system, environmental exposures, genetics, and individual susceptibility factors.

The Holistic approach to CIRS considers the interconnectedness of body systems and environmental influences, aiming to identify and address underlying triggers, imbalances and drivers, promoting improved overall health and well-being raise the symptom threshold to a more resilient level. 

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From a holistic viewpoint, CIRS is seen as a manifestation of chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation triggered by exposure to biotoxins such as mold, Lyme disease, or other environmental contaminants.

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It's never one thing. 

Health issues are never about just one thing. The body is a complex, integrated system, interacting with a complex interactive environment.  have a Naturopathic assessment can help you get to the bottom of your health issues, so we can support your body to heal itself, naturally.  Functional testing is an import part of our allergy program, alongside desensitisation of airborne, chemical, EMF, and medication factors that can obstruct recovery if not addressed. Our approach is comprehensive, and successful. 

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